CORNING — The Tehama County Shootout, a long-standing annual rivalry between Corning and Red Bluff football programs, will see the junior edition of competition come to the field in Corning Saturday.

The Corning Lions will be hosting four games starting between noon and 6 p.m. at Corning Union High School, 643 Blackburn Ave.

“The Tehama County Shootout is a rival tradition between Corning and Red Bluff high schools, but even at the youth level, the shootout is a big deal,” said Red Bluff Junior Spartan board member and Cheer Coordinator Maylissa Carrillo. “Under NorCalFed, the two youth programs had played each other and the spirit of the rival was alive and well. In the last two years, the youth programs have not had the opportunity to play each other and unfortunately, a pre-season game was not an option.”

The two programs are in a new league, Sacramento Youth Football, and that will allow them to have the Shootout again.

“Our hope with this game is to keep the rivalry between the two towns within Tehama County going and continue into high school,” Carrillo said. “The kids want this game and we are willing to do what it takes to make this game happen for them.”

Game schedules are as follows: 8U at noon, 10U at 2 p.m., 12U at 4 p.m. and 14U at 6 p.m.

“Both Corning Lions and Red Bluff Junior Spartans invite you to come watch their games and cheer them on,” Carrillo said.

Gate admission for the event is $5 for those 12 and older, $3 for seniors and those 3-11 and and free for those 2 and younger.

Athletes will be selling raffle tickets for $1 each with first prize being $500, second place getting $300 and third prize $200.

Julie Zeeb is a North State native and covers the county and education beats for the Red Bluff Daily News. She has been with the Daily News since she started freelancing for the paper in July 2007 and lived in Tehama County since 2009.